Front light for hansom-cabs.



No. 765,467. PATENTED JULY 19, 1904 P. FORDER.

FRONT LIGHT FOR HANSOM CABS.

' APPLIGATION FILED JUNE 24, 1903. a

NO MODEL. 4 SHEETSS EEET 1.

)NVENTOR ATTORNEY No. 765,467. PA-TENTED JULY 19, 1904.

. P. WEBER.-

FRONT-LIGHT FOR HANSOM was.

4 APPLIGATION PILED JUNE 24, 1903 N0 MODEL.

4 SHEETS-$HEET 2.

w wmsssgs $NVENTOR ATTORNEY PATBNTBD JULY 19, 1904.

RFORDBRL FRONT LIGHT FOR HANSOM CABS.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 2 1903.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

no xonnn.

y INVENTORY ATTORNEY PATENTED JULY 19, 190

v No. 7 5,467,

P. PORDER.- FRONT LIGHTYTOR HANSOM CABS.

APPLICATIONTILED JUNE 24. 1903.

4 SHEBTSSHEET 4.

N0 MODEL.

1N VENTOR \A/(TNESSES w-QQWEI fizn ATTORN EY UNITED STATES Patented July19, 1904.

PERCY FORDER, OF VVOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND.

FRONT LIGHT FOR HANSOlVl-CABS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 765,467, dated July 19,1904.,

Application filed June 24, 1903. Serial No. 162,896. (No model.)

To all, wlumt it may concern:

Be it known that I, PERCY FoRDER, coachbuilder, a Sub ect of the King ofGreat Britain, residing at Wolverhampton, in the county of Stafford,England, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in andRelating to the Front Lights for Hansom-Cabs and other VehiclesRequiring Similar Lights, of

which the following is a specification. The front light of a hansom-cabas usually mounted and operated is liable in case of an accident to falldown if in its raised-up or open position and injure the fare, as it isheld up entirely by the strap, which is simply fastened over a button,and an accidental falling of the light may result at any time throughMoreover, as the the breaking of the strap. weight of the light when upis borne largely by the strap there is a constant tendency for the strapto stretch, and unless it is taken up at frequent intervals the lightwill hang down at its inner edge to an extent which is inconyenient tothe fare, and, further, a front light formed with an upper and lowerdivision, as

is usual, has the upper division hinged to the of the light, moreespecially as it is being lowered down, and, further, if the horseshould fall down there is a liability that the fare will be thrownforward or -upward. In the former case there is risk that in trying tosave himself he will thrust his hand through the glass of the lowerdivision of the light if the light is down, and in the latter case thereis risk that his head will come against and break the glass of suchdivision if the light is up, and, still further, in the divided lightsabove referred to the upper division cannot be opened without firstopening the lower division.

- Now this invention has for its chief objects to mount the front lightof a hansom-cab or similar light such as the front light of a motor-carhaving a body of the hansom-cab typein such manner that when in its openposition it lies snugly under the roof of the cab and is securelyretained in such position independently of the strap by which it isdrawnup and is not liable, therefore, to fall through the strap giving way orto hang down as a result of the strap stretching, and to effect theretention of the light in a manner which otherwise renders it peculiarlysecure against accidentally falling, and to mount a front light formedwith an upper and lower division and operate the same in a manner whichavoids turning the light upon a hinge and moving the lower edge thereofwithin the cab in a manner likely to cause inconvenience to a fare,however inexperienced, and to provide means to guard against the glassof the lower division of the light being broken in case of the farebeing thrown forward or upward, and to enable the upper division of adivided light to be opened without opening the lower division.

The above objects are accomplished according to this invention in themanner I will now proceed to describe, with reference to theaccompanying drawings, of which Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectionthrough the middle of the upper portion of a hansomcab body, showing afront light divided into an upper and lower. portion, as is usuallyrequired, and mounted in the manner of this invention, the light itselfbeing shown intermediate its opened and closed positions. Fig. 2 is acorresponding View to Fig. 1, but shows the light in its closedposition. Fig. 3 is acorresponding view to Fig. 1, but shows the lightin its upward or completely-open position, and in this view only-theportion of the body extending from the top thereof to a short distancebelow thelight when in its raised position is shown. Fig. 4 is atransverse section through the upper portion of the body, taken in theplane indicated by line a w of Fig. 2 looking toward the front light,which is shown also in this figure as closed. Fig. 5 is a detail view toan enlarged scale, showing one of the longitudinal guides, hereinafterdescribed,and the upper portion of one of the vertical guides in sideelevation and the spring appliance, hereinafter described, inlongitudinal section. Fig. 6 is a view corresponding to Fig. 2,illustrating the application of the invention in the case of the frontlight being formed in a single piece, the light being shown in itsclosed position. Fig. 7 is a view corresponding to Fig. 3, illustratingthe single light shown by Fig. 6 as in its open position. Fig. 8 is aplan view of the arrangement shown by Fig. 7. Fig. 9 is a viewillustrating a modification of the invention in which the upper divisionof a divided light can be opened, leaving the lower division down; andFig. 10 is an enlarged reproduction of a portion of Fig. 9.

Referring first to the arrangement shown by Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive, theupper division A of the light is formed along the side edges of. itsrear face with guides 60, into which the lower division A of the lightmay be drawn up in the manner now common with these lights. Studs 5project sidewise from the upper portion of the upper division of thelight, at the rear face thereof, as shown, and carry on their outer endsrollers 0, preferably of rubber, which are adapted to roll along curvedguides B, which are fixed near the opposite sides, respectively, of thecab a short distance beneath the roof. Brackets d are fixed to the lowerportions of the guides at and carry at their lower extremities studs 0,which carry at their outer ends rollers f. These rollers are adapted toroll within guides C, which are formed at the sides of the frontopenings of the cab and incline somewhat from the vertical in a forwarddirection. The forward ends of the guides B are formed with depressionsor pockets g in their lower sides, into which the rollers c of the upperdivision A of the light fall as the light closes in and upon the bottomsof which this division of the light then hangs. The pockets prevent therollers from moving forward or backward when they are down therein, andthus hold the upper part of the division A of the light secure in itsclosed position, while the rollers f within the guides C securely keepthe lower part of the division A in position when closed. The verticalguides C are formed at their upper ends with turnouts or pockets h attheir forward sides, into which the rollers f of the upper division ofthe light pass when the light is in its open position and prevent itfrom falling. When the upper division A of the light is in its closedposition, as shown by Figs. 2 and 4, the lower division A may pass downinto guides D, as in the case of the front lights ordinarily used, andrest as usual upon the top of the doors E.

In each side of the cab and adjacent to the rear ends of the guides B,respectively, are

I fixed tubular cases F, within each of which slides a tube 6, formed atits outer end with a head z", and between the closed rear end of thetube F and the head 2" is inserted a spiral spring is, which passesthrough the tube i. The tube 91 has an external diameter somewhatsmaller than the internal diameter of the tube F; but has two-bandstherearound, which are just an easy sliding fit within the tube F. Aband on is formed around the inside of the front end of the tube F, andthe forward band 2' coming against the band m forms a stop to the actionof the spring in moving the tube a; outward.

In opening the light from its closed position (shown by Fig. 2) into itsopen position (shown by Fig. 3) the lower division A of the light isfirst slid up the guides at of the upper division A, and then the twodivisions of the light are together moved upward to bring the rollers 0out of the pockets g, and their upper sides are then moved backward,thus running the rollers 0 along the guides B and passing the light intoits position shown by Fig. 1 and backward from such position until thestuds 5, which are preferably surrounded with rubber or other softmaterial, come, respectively, against the heads a" of the sliding tubesi and as the light is still farther moved back compress the springs kuntil the rollers f have come opposite the pockets 5, in the upper endsof the guides C, at which stage the light is allowed to be pressedforward by the reaction of the springs 7c and brings the rollers f intothe pockets h. The light is then securely held up in its open positionsimply by the rollers 0 within the guides B, the rollers f within thepockets h, and the springs k, which prevent the light shaking back andwithdrawing the rollers f from the pockets h, and it will be seen thatany sudden jerk forward, such as by the falling of the horse, has notendency to shake the rollers f out of the pockets h, but rather thereverse tendency. As additional security the lower side it of eachpocket 71. is preferably somewhat recessed, as shown,

so that the weight of the light tendsitself to keep the rollers f withinthe pockets. The recessing of the lower sides of these turnouts may besuch as to insure the retention of the rollers f therein if the same aremoved into the turnouts simply by hand or by other means which are notused also to retain them therein, and in such an arrangement the springswould be unnecessary.

The lightis closed by precisely the reverse series of operations tothose by which it is opened, as will be obvious. The opening and closingof the light may be performed by the fare by means of leather loops n orthe like fastened to the lower division of the light or by the driverthrough the medium of straps or the like.

To enable the light to be opened by the driver, astrap 19 passes fromnear the drivers seat B over the roof of the cab through an openingthrough the roof, over the front upper edge of the light when the sameis closed down across the face of the upper division of of the strap 19to prevent'shock.

the light, and thence down to the lower front edge of the bottomdivision of the light, where it is attached thereto. The strap passesover a roller 1' in a bonnet r, fixed upon the roof of the cab, down tothe top front corner of the upper division of the light, and this rolleris situated some distance back from the plane of the light to insurethat when the strap is tightened pressure will be exerted against theupper edge of the light in a direction tending to press it backward. Thefirst effect of pulling back the strap is to draw up the lower divisionof the light into the guides a of the upperdivision and then to raisethe two divisions of the light together, and thus to raise the rollers 0out of the pockets 9. Immediately the rollers have thus been raisedclear of the pockets the pressure of the strap against the upper edge ofthe light moves it backward, causing the rollers c to run along theguides B, and thepull on the strap being continued the light is broughtinto position with the rollers c in their farthest position backwardwithin the guides B (thus compressing the springs-7c) and the rollers fopposite the pockets h. Immediately the rollers f come opposite to thepockets 7: the reaction of the springs k tending to force forward thelight engages the rollers f with the pockets 7L, and the light is thussecured in its open position. It will be observed that by the time theupper portion ofthe light has been moved back as far as it can be by thepressure of the strap against the upper edge thereof the portions of theguides B which the rollers 0 have then reached are at such angles withthe plane of the light that the further pull of the strap will stillinsure that the rollers will run'back along the guides.

To enable the light to be closed by the driver, a strap 8 passes fromnear its seat B over a roller t, carried by a bonnet t, fixed upon theroof of the cab, thence through an opening in the roof under a roller 6carried inside the roof, and thence through a guide a to the upper sideof the upper division of the light. The driver pulls back thisstrap,'and thereby withdraws the rollers f from the pockets 7L, andimmediately these rollers are clear of the pockets they will run downthe guides O, and if the strap .9 is released the upper light will fallinto its closed position by its own gravity, the rollers 0 runningforward along the guides B and dropping into the pockets 9 at theforward ends thereof, and when the upperdivision of the light is inplace the lower division will run down by gravity into the guides D andrest. upon the tops of the doors E. The lowering of the light, however,should be checked by means The two straps p and 8 may be joined togetherby a loop 8, and by passing the hand through this loop both the strapsmay be readily manipulated as desired without taking a fresh hold.

the roof.

lation to the upper division until the light has been lowered down intoposition to allow the lower division to run down into the guides D byledges a, running down at opposite sides of the front opening of thecab, against which the lower division of the light will come if it fallsin the guides of the upper division, while the said upper divisionslants forward toward its lower end, and in such case the lower edge ofthe lower division runs down inclines u from the lower ends of theledges a into the open ends of the guides D. Of course if and so long asthe light is checked by the strap 0 while it is lowered the lowerdivision of the light cannot fall in relation to the upper.

A bar 29 is formed horizontally across the 7 middle of the lowerdivision of the light as a precaution against the glass in such divisionbeing broken by the hand of the fare if he is thrown forward while thelight is down or being broken by his head in case he is thrown up whilethe light is open.

Referring now to' the arrangement shown by Figs. 6, 7 and 8, thefrontlight A formed in a single piece, is mounted and operated al- -mostprecisely as the upper division A, previously described; but in thiscase the guides B under the roof have to be proportionately longer, asshown, and the spring appliances having the cases F are fixedcorrespondingly farther back within the cab, and the guides C extenddown to the doors E, all as will be obvious. In this modification thestrap 8 is divided, one division passing around a roller 6 to one sideof the roof of the cab, thence around a roller 0 mounted vertically in abonnet d and over a roller 6 mounted horizontally in such bonnet, thencethrough an opening in the roofto one side of the front of the light at apoint about midway in the height thereof, where it is securely fastened.The other division of the strap .9 is correspondingly led to the otherside of the front of the light and is fastened thereto. In Fig. 7 thepart of the roof which carries the bonnet d is shown as if the sectionwere taken through such bonnet instead of through the middle of Thepurpose of dividing the strap 8 and connecting the ends with about themiddle of the light is to avoid the quantity of strap which wouldotherwise be hanging down atthe back of the roof if the strap s'were connected with the top edge of the! light and which would be veryinconvenient in manipulation. The strap p passes in this case also downthe middle of the front of the light, but is of course fastened to thelower edge of the single light.

roof, an independent strap 8 is used, which passes down the middle ofthe front of the upper division of the light and is fastened to thelower edge thereof, and except for an arrangement to provide against thelower division of the light being mischievously raised after the upperdivision has been opened, leaving the lower division down. The strap 5-passes over a lower roller r mounted within the bonnet r, and by meansof this strap the upper division A of the light may be raised into itsopen position (shown by Fig. 9) just as the single light (shown by Figs.6, 7, and 8) is raised, leaving the lower division A in its closedposition. (Shown by Fig. 9.) If the strap p is used instead of the strap8 the lower division A is first raised up behind the upper division Aand then the two lights moved into their open position under the roofjust as the two divisions of the light are opened by the arrangementshown by Figs. 1 to 5.

To prevent the lower light A being mischievously moved up when it hasbeen left down after the upper division has been raised, a spring f isarranged in each guide Cand carries at its lower end a head 9 whichengages with a notch if in the rear face of the division A when the sameis down. When it is desired to open this lower division of the light,the upper division is allowed to close down, and in passing down therollers 6 thereof running down the guides C press back the springs f andthus clear the heads g thereof from the notches [L3 of the lowerdivision A. The two divisions may then be opened by the strap pprecisely as the divisions of the light are opened in the modificationshown by Figs. 1 to 5.

The light may of course according to either modification shown be openedor closed by the fare by means of the straps if the same are broughtdown inside of the body of the vehicle.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secureby Letters Patent,

1. The combination, with the front light of a hansom-cab, or similarlight, of upward guides, lower studs projecting from opposite sides ofthe light which enter the upward guides, turnouts or pockets at theupper ends of said guides, longitudinal guides, upper studs projectingfrom opposite sides of the light which engage with the longitudinalguides, and spring devices which move said lower studs into saidpockets, whenthe light has been raised into its open position, andretain the studs in such pockets, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination, with the front light of a hansom-cab, or similarlight, of upward guides, lower studs projecting from opposite sides ofthe light which enter the upward guides, turnouts or pockets at theforward sides of the upper ends of said guides, longitudinal guides,upper studs projecting from opposite sides of the light which engagewith the longitudinal guides, and means by which the lower studs may beengaged with the said turnouts or pockets, when the light has beenraised into its upward position, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination, with the front light of a hansom-cab, or similarlight, of upward guides, longitudinal guides, upper and lower studsprojecting from opposite sides of the light which engage with theguides, and downward recesses into which a pair of said studs pass fromtheir respective guides as the light assumes its normal open positionand which prevent endwise movement of the light, substantially as setforth.

L. The combination, with the front light of a hansom-cab, or similarlight, of upward guides, lower studs projecting from opposite sides ofthe light which enter the upward guides, turnouts or pockets at theupper ends of said guides, recesses in the lower sides of such turnoutsor pockets, longitudinal guides, and upper studs projecting fromopposite sides of the light which engage with the longitudinal guides,substantially as set forth.

5. The combination, with the front light of a hansom-cab, or similarlight, of upward guides, lower studs projecting from opposite sides ofthe light which enter the upward guides, turnouts or pockets at theupper ends of such guides, longitudinal guides, upper studs projectingfrom opposite sides of the light which engage with the longitudinalguides, and spring devices in positions adjacent to the rear ends of thelongitudinal guides, which are compressed by the light as it reaches itsopen position, and the reaction of which pushes forward the light andengages the lower studs with the pockets and retains them therein,substantially as set forth.

6. The combination, with the front light of a hansom-cab, or similarlight, of upward guides, lower studs projecting from opposite sides ofthe light which enter the upward guides, turnouts or pockets at theupper ends of such guides, longitudinal guides, upper studs projectingfrom opposite sides of the light which engage with the longitudinalguides, and spring devices in positions adjacent to the rear ends of thelongitudinal guides, which are compressed by the light as it reaches vits open position, and the reaction of which pushes forward the lightand engages the lower studs with the pockets and retains them there- 7in, andmeans for disengaging the lower studs upper studs projecting fromopposite sides of the light which enter the longitudinal guides,

and turnouts or pockets in the forward ends of such longitudinal guidesinto which the upper studs fall as the light is lowered into position,substantially as set forth.

8. The combination, with the front light of a hansom-cab, or similarlight, of upward guides, lower studs projecting from opposite sides ofthe light which enter said guides, turnouts or pockets at the upper endsof said guides, longitudinal guides, upper studs projecting fromopposite sides of the light which engage with the longitudinal guides,spring devices which move said lower studs into said pockets, when thelight has been raised into its upward position, and retain the studs inouts or pockets at the upper ends of said guides,

longitudinal guides, upper studs projecting from opposite sides of thelight which engage with the longitudinal guides, spring devices whichmove said lower studs into said pockets, when the light has been raisedinto its upward position and retain the studs in such pockets, aflexible connector by which the light may be opened, and a flexibleconnector by which the light may be pulled in a direction to dislight,laterally-projecting studs carried by the upper division of the light atits lower. part and engaging the respective upwardly-extending lateralguides aforesaid, upper longitudinally-extending guides near the roof,laterally-projecting studs carried by the upper di,

vision of the light at its upper part and engaging the respective upperguides, and means for. first drawing up the lower division of the lightinto its guides on the upper division,-and then drawing up the connecteddivisions together, the upper division carrying the lower in itsmovement. V

11. The combination, with the front light of a hansom-cab, or similarlight, of upward guides, lower studs projecting from opposite sides ofthe light which enter said guides, turnouts or pockets at the upper endsof said guides, longitudinal guides, upper studs projecting fromopposite sides of the light which engage with the longitudinal guides.spring devices which presssaid lower studs into said pockets, when thelight has been raised into its upward position, and retain the studs insuch pockets, a flexible connector by which the light may be opened, anda flexible connector by which thelight maybe pulled in a direction todisengage the lower studs from said pockets and which passes throughopenings in the roof near to opposite sides thereof, respectively,

and is connected at its ends with the front of the light near to thesides thereof, respectively, in positions which are intermediatethe topand bottom of the light, being approximately half-way between,substantially as set forth.

' 12. The combination, with the front light of a hansom-cab, or similarlight, said light being divided into upper and lower portions of whichthe lower portion is capable of being drawn up within guides of theupper portion, of upward guldes, lower studs pro ecting from oppositesides of the light, which enter said guides, turnouts or pockets at theupper ends ofsaid guides, longitudinal guides, upper studs projectingfrom opposite sides of the light, which engage with the longitudinalguides, and means by which such lower studs may be engaged with saidturnouts'or pockets to retain the light in its open position;substantially as set forth.

1 3. The combination, with the front light of a hansom-cab, or similarlight, said light being divided into upper and lower portions ofwhichthe lower portion is capable of being drawn up within guides of theupper portion, of upward guides, lower studs projecting from oppositesides of the light which enters said guides, turnouts or pockets attheupper ends as set forth.

14. The combination, with the front light of a hansom-cab, or similarlight, said light being divided into upper and lower portions of whichthe lower portion is capable of being drawn up within guides of theupper portion,

of upward guides, lower studs projecting from opposite sides of' thelight which enter, said guides, turnouts or pockets at the upper ends ofsaid guides, longitudinal guides, upper studs projecting from oppositesides of the light which engage with the longitudinal guides, springdevices which move said lower studs into said pockets, when the lighthas been raised into its upward position, and retain the studs in suchpockets, a flexible connector by which in opening the light the lowerdivision thereof is first pulled up Within the guides of the upperdivision and then the two divisions drawn up together, substantially asset forth.

15. The combination, with the front light of a hansom-cab, or similarlight, said light being divided into upper and lower portions of whichthe lower portion is capable of being drawn up within guides of theupper portion, of upward guides, lower studs projecting from oppositesides of the light which enter said guides, turnouts or pockets at theupper ends of said guides, longitudinal guides, upper studs projectingfrom opposite sides of the light which engage with the longitudinalguides, spring devices which move said lower studs into said pockets,when the light has been raised into its upward position, and retain thestuds in such pockets, a flexible connector by which in opening thelight the lower division thereof is first pulled up within the guides ofthe upper division and then the two divisions drawn up together, and aflexible connector by which the lig ht may be pulled up in a directionto disengage the lower studs from said pockets, substantially as setforth.

16. The combination, with the front light of a hansom-cab, or similarlight, said light being divided into upper and lower portions of whichthe lower portion is capable of being drawn up within guides of theupper portion of a flexible connector, which is connected with, theupper division of the light, and by which the upper division of thelight may be drawn up leaving the lower division down, and a flexibleconnector, which passes down across the front face of the upper divisionwhen the light is closed, and is connected with the bottom of thelowerdivision, and by which the lower division may be first pulled up withinthe guides of the upper division and then the two divisions be drawn uptogether, substantially as set forth.

17. The combination,with the-frontlight of a hansom'cab, or similarlight, said light being divided into upper and lower portions of whichthe lower portion is capable of being drawn up within guides of theupper portion, of means by which the upper division of the light may bedrawn up leaving the lower division down, and spring devices whichengage with the lower division when the upper division has been drawnup, leaving the lower division down, and which are moved out ofengagement therewith as the upper division is lowered down again intoits closed position, substantially as set forth.

In witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name, this 11th day ofJune, 1903', in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

PERCY FORDER.

Witnesses:

ROBERT G. GROVES, ALFRED H. WATKINS.

